Men still “lie in wait to deceive” with “every wind of doctrine.” (Eph. 4:14) Children in the faith are vulnerable to the “sleight of men” and their “cunning craftiness.” If we are to grow up in Christ our commitment to the truth of God’s Word must be greater than any other commitment we have.
The tribe of Levi was called into the service of the Lord because of the “fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips…” (Mal. 2:5,6) When their brethren corrupted themselves at Mount Sinai, the Levites chose fidelity toward God over fidelity to man.
If we are to grow up in Christ our commitment to the truth of God’s Word must be greater than any other commitment we have.
“Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.
And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.
And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.
For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.” (Exodus 32:26-29)
But by the end of the Old Testament, these same Levites, from whom God chose His priesthood, had themselves become corrupted.
“For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.
Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.” (Mal. 2:7-9)
They who were given by God as a gift to the people to teach them the law and assist them in their worship had become stumblingblocks to them. The same can be said today of so many who are called to the five fold ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. So many of these who God ordained to be a gift to the church have been stumblingblocks because they have not kept God’s ways and have become “partial” in His law. They have loved their own doctrines more than the Word of God. They have sought their own things more than the things of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is tough to thrive and grow when the hindrance to your growth is found in your own home; when those who should be nurturing you are the cause of your stumbling. The Great and Good Shepherd is returning to this earth with a reward in His hand. When the chief Shepherd shall appear, those who have been true to Him, His Word, and their charge to feed the flock shall receive an unfading crown of glory. But He will also hold to account those who have added to or taken away from His Word. He is so serious about fidelity to His Word that He will “add” to the adders the plagues that are written in this book and “take away” from the subtractors their part from the book of life.
Devote yourselves now more than ever to every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
This is no day to have men’s persons in admiration. This is a day to love Christ more than father or mother, sister or brother. We must receive a love of the truth and speak the truth to one another in love. God is making up His crown and He is looking for His jewels. They will not be those who speak often one to another concerning the doctrines and traditions of their fathers. They will be those who fear Him enough to choose the truth of God’s Word over the winds of doctrine that still swirl around us. Saints of God, don’t get carried away by such trickery. Devote yourselves now more than ever to every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Study to show yourselves approved unto God, workmen who will not be ashamed in the day of God’s reckoning.